Contemporary Art of Japan

This private tour features the best of Japan’s many outstanding contemporary and traditional cultural attractions and experiences. It includes private cultural touring with your own guide and driver, accommodation in Japan’s best luxury hotels, private airport transfers, first-class train travel, luggage transfers, and access to a wide range of unique, art-related activities.

Begin in dynamic Tokyo, Japan’s capital of style and innovation. During private touring, explore interesting neighborhoods such as Shibuya, Harajuku, Aoyama and Ginza. Visit noteworthy museums such as the Tokyo National Museum, the Mori Art Museum and the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art. See outstanding contemporary architecture by top Japanese and international architects. Experience Japan’s vibrant pop culture and street fashions. Visit the best specialty food and crafts markets. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange visits to top art galleries, meetings with gallery owners, meals with culinary and sake experts, and additional touring according to your interests. We can also make reservations for you to dine at our favorite local restaurants and at some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the world.

Continue to Kanazawa, a cultural gem. One of Japan’s wealthiest cities during the feudal era, Kanazawa is known for beautiful gardens, traditional architecture, acclaimed contemporary art and folk art museums, and fresh seafood from the nearby Sea of Japan. With your expert local guide, tour former samurai and geisha neighborhoods. Explore the renowned Kenrokuen Garden, one of the most famous gardens in Japan. Tour fascinating Myoryuji (the Ninja Temple), and visit museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and Ishikawa Museum for Traditional Products and Crafts. Visit a pottery kiln and shops specializing in Kanazawa’s celebrated silk, lacquer and gold-leaf products. Also tour the city’s enormous central food market, and experience Kanazawa’s excellent, refined cuisine at our favorite restaurants.

Next, travel to Naoshima, a renowned contemporary art destination on an island in the Seto Inland Sea. Stay at Benesse House, a Tadao Ando-designed boutique hotel. During private touring, explore Benesse Art Site Naoshima, a complex of museums, installations and art spaces scattered across the island. Visit Benesse House Museum to see work by artists such as Richard Long and Hiroshi Sugimoto. See installations by Yayoi Kusama, Cai Guo-Qiang and others along the waterfront. Tour the Art House Projects, where installations by James Turrell, Rei Naito and other artists inhabit buildings in a local village. Depending on time and interests, also see other parts of the art complex, such as the Chichu Art Museum, Lee Ufan Museum and Naoshima Bath. One day, journey across the Inland Sea to Shikoku Island, where we will arrange special permission for you to tour the Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum Japan and Ritsurin Garden.

Next, travel to enchanting Kyoto, Japan’s heart of culture and tradition. During touring with your private guide and driver, experience the best of this elegant city. Visit important temples and shrines. Gain access to imperial villas and private gardens such as Katsura Rikyu, Shugakuin and Saihoji (the Moss Temple). Enjoy an exclusive private tea ceremony. Stroll through a bamboo forest. Enjoy a Buddhist vegetarian lunch at a local temple. Tour traditional geisha districts such as Gion. Visit markets and food purveyors to sample Kyoto’s culinary specialties, considered the most refined in Japan. Explore antiques districts, and browse our favorite shops for exquisite ceramics, lacquerware and other crafts. One day, enjoy a private excursion to the I. M. Pei-designed Miho Museum. Alternatively, visit additional contemporary art and architecture sites outside of Kyoto, such as Tadao Ando’s Church of Light, Honpukuji (Water Temple) and Awaji Yumebutai.

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange a wide range of other unique activities in Kyoto, such as an exclusive private dinner accompanied by geisha and maiko, private Zen meditation in a local temple, meetings with local craftspeople, ikebana (flower arranging) lessons, manga drawing lessons, and personalized shopping in Kyoto's galleries, antiques districts, and finest boutiques.